Picking a lathe

[Oldseabee]

I'm looking for a new to me lathe. So far in the running is a Clausing 5914. The. A Takasawa 800 deluxe an then a Monarch 10ee. i know the Monarch is the best of the 3. But at $5,000 over my pocket book .
The Clausing was originally purchased by Calstate Hayard comes with 3 chucks and runs ok, asking price is $1,300. . The Takasawa 800 I have seen run and its nice. $3,000 but may go down to $2,500. It's not been beat up
The Clausing has sat for 10 years in a garage not running.
I think the Takasawa is by far the best between it and the Clausing. Any owners of a Takasawa out there? Opinions are helpful .
Mike

 

[matthewsx]

I don't have one but I'd go with the Takasawa in a heartbeat....

John

 

[Aaron_W]

There are a few here with Takasawas, I think MrWhoopee has one.

You might add Takasawa to your title to attract attention to the post if you want to get opinions from owners.

At $2500-3000 I suspect you will not have much time to decide. They don't seem very common, and have a good reputation.

 

[markba633csi]

Tak!

 

[mksj]

Takisawa if it is in good shape, best of the bunch for practical use.

 

[G-ManBart]

The only downside to the Tak is if you need to find things like the steady or follow rest....not easy to find.

 

[Oldseabee]

The Takasawa also comes with a steady rest.

 

[benmychree]

For a Monarch EE in decent condition, 5K is cheap.

 

[MrWhoopee]

I have a SB Heavy 10, @Winegrower has a Takisawa. A 10ee is a steal at $5k, but at that price I'd be wondering about the condition of the electronics. If we take it out of the running, then it's the Takisawa, hands down.

 

[Oldseabee]

Mr Whoopee. I also just got offered a really nicely equipped Wade 8 a. The only thing it doesn't have is a taper attachment which I would never use anyway. And thr price of $2,500. Plus shipping. This one was hardly used. Came out of a musical instrument factory. That was # 1 one my want list or a Rivitte 608 model. This one us not War surplus. Now the pondering really starts. I really do appreciate all the advice. The only thing the Wade needs is a paint job.